2014 Torch Lake Freeride- July 12th, 2014

N3vrSat1sfied

Military Member
Location
Fort Worth, TX
DATE: JULY 12th, 2014

DSC_1292.JPG


Location: TORCH LAKE SANDBAR. The main Launch (closest to the sand bar) is on the south end of the lake, Near torch riviera and torch river marine. LIMITED PARKING!
Not to scale, but you get the idea.


Rules: Do not come flying into the sandbar towards other boats and people!
150' from all boats.
Idle zone 150' from shore
Idle zone 150' in and out of sandbar (idle to and from sandbar)
Boat launch and river are also idle only zones, From the boat launch idle out to the bouys (its not that far).

Also a Saturday in July at Torch does have some police patrol (mainly on the sandbar). I have been asked for registration before. Some of us are staying up longer than the weekend so lets keep it on good terms with the P.D. If you choose to drink you are adults, but I ask for the sake of the group that you wait to after the riding or atleast keep it discrete, and do so responsibly. We want to save face with the locals and the police and stay on there good side. We are all adults if your ski isn't legal that's your choice. However, What is important to the entire group is that we don't give the cops a reason to pull us over! let them deal with the drunks on the sandbar and not all of us. 2012 they were all over us, 2013 they pretty much left us alone. So I am posting these rules so that everyone knows what is expected and we can be left alone again and have an enjoyable ride.

Disclaimer/other info:
This is a FreeRide! Myself and SuperN8 will do the best we can to get everybody as much info as we can for the day, but we are not responsible for you (we want to ride too and enjoy our vacation). There are no set times. The riding will take place west of the sandbar on south end of lake. Most Likely we will have a 2010 Black and white Crownline with a Torch Lake freeride banner on the sandbar (that may do some digging for us later in the afternoon). If you can bring scissor stand or some rope and tie up in between riding (if someone in the group is bringing a boat that works well).
Most likely you will launch right next to the house I am staying at and see some skis on the beach (if we are not out already). PLEASE DO NOT STOP HERE OR BEACH YOUR SKI HERE!!!!!! I am staying here with several families that are not associated with the freeride. We will meet on the sandbar.

This isn't the best freeride out there. We have rules to follow to keep this thing going (but honestly its Michigan law), limited lodging, limited parking, but this is America's most beautiful lake! So come out hang out, and enjoy the water!

Thanks guys!
 
Last edited:

N3vrSat1sfied

Military Member
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Lodging:
Still looking for some better options but here is what we have so far. If your planning on staying overnight, here are some options. Book in advance these places book up!
Option #1-Northwind hotel- On the water, south side of lake close to sand bar they have docks, beachfront, and buoys up.http://www.northwindresort.com/

Option #2 Torch Grove Camp Grounds- (231)322-2891 RV only, not tent campers. Across the road from lake, launch ramp 1/2 mile from camp grounds, South side of lake, There is a place on the water across from campgrounds where you can dock or tie our skis up for up to 5 hours.

Option #3 South Torch Resort http://southtorchresort.com/. South side of the lake not on the water but close to the launch.

Option #4 The Inn at Torch lake, 9076 Helena Rd, Alden, MI 231 331 4845. This place is kinda of hike to the sandbar. It is in downtown alden on the west side of the lake.

Option #5 Various rentals, There are several rental homes and cabins along the lake. Most only book for entire weeks and not weekend rentals.

Also there are a couple hotels in Kalkaska about 20 minutes away.
 
Last edited:

N3vrSat1sfied

Military Member
Location
Fort Worth, TX
In case you ignored the first post listing the info and some basic guidelines. I want to stress this point one more time. Most likely you will launch right next to the house I am staying at and see some skis on the beach (if our groups is not out already). PLEASE DO NOT STOP HERE OR BEACH YOUR SKI HERE!!!!!! I am staying here with several families that are not associated with the freeride. We will meet on the sandbar!
 
Last edited:

Fro Diesel

creative control
Location
Kzoo
Not sure if torch lake has some other local rules but state law is only 100' from boats that are parked and if they are putting out a wake then you must be 150' from the rear. And just stay away from boats towing anything. Also if you were born after 1978 you MUST have a boaters safety card to legally operate a PWC solo.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk
 

N3vrSat1sfied

Military Member
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Not sure if torch lake has some other local rules but state law is only 100' from boats that are parked and if they are putting out a wake then you must be 150' from the rear. And just stay away from boats towing anything. Also if you were born after 1978 you MUST have a boaters safety card to legally operate a PWC solo.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

Torch is 150' rule from boats, it is posted right on the signs at the launches.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

N3vrSat1sfied

Military Member
Location
Fort Worth, TX
hopefully my ski is back from the shop before this weekend. it would be a blast to go to this thing. how are you guys planning to do the gas situation? bring cans out to the sand bar?

The sand bar is too deep this year. You could bring them out on a boat. In 12 most people left em at the shore by the campground, but we don't have that this year. So best is to leave em at the launch of at your truck.

sounds like a good time, about how many people usually meet up

2012- 40ish
2013-15ish

Without the campground it really dampers the event :( gotta get a solution for next year.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
chain o'lakes campground is supposedly 7 miles from torch, which isnt bad at all. and then theres whitewater township park (VERY nice campground) on elk lake that isnt all that far either. thats where we usually stay when we go to torch. i think the whole issue with the cops in 12 is what killed the following turn outs. from what i hear, even spectators had our backs on that and they shouldnt be much of a problem anymore (fingers crossed).
 
Top Bottom